Success Stories

An Unconventional Overachiever

Posted on November 01, 2013

Even by super-tough overachievers' standards, Andrew Hart is doing well. When the eighteen-year-old walked across the stage at John Tyler Community College's 2013 Commencement exercises and earned an associate degree, he hadn't yet graduated from high school.

The achievement has practical roots. Hart is one of four children. His parents wanted him to attend a community college to save the family money, but Andrew wanted to go to college with his friends. So, the high school student plotted out a way to earn college credits in high school.

Through a combination of dual enrollment, concurrent and AP courses, Hart was able to fulfill the requirements for a Liberal Arts degree with a specialization in international studies. He earned his college degree just a few weeks before he celebrated his graduation from Clover Hill High School.

In the fall of 2013, Hart became a Virginia Commonwealth University student – with his friends – and plans to double major in political science/international relations and homeland security. He’s thinking about a master’s degree and eventually wants to work for the U.S. State Department.

“I am proud of what I’ve done. I’ve worked really hard,” says Andrew. “I hope others realize they can do something just like this, even if it is in an unconventional way.”